How far is Waukegan, IL from River Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Waukegan, IL to River Forest, IL is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukegan and River Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukegan and River Forest.
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1
Start on North Jackson Street
2647 ft · 1 min · North Jackson Street
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2
Turn right onto Glen Rock Avenue
2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Belvidere Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street
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4
Continue on Belvidere Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1511 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, O'Hare Oasis
1162 ft · 28 sec
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9
Keep slight left
2715 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 South Toll, IL 19 East: Indiana, Irving Park Road
698 ft · 17 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on IL 19 East: Irving Park Road
1147 ft · 28 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Irving Park Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Irving Park Road
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13
Turn right onto Des Plaines River Road
2.9 mi · 6 min · Des Plaines River Road
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14
Turn straight onto North 1st Avenue
2871 ft · 1 min · North 1st Avenue
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15
Turn left onto North Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Lathrop Avenue
1.2 km · 3 min · Lathrop Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Augusta Street
97 m · 11 sec · Augusta Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Augusta Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukegan and River Forest.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13.9 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukegan and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near River Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukegan to River Forest?
The road trip is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km) and usually takes 00h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Waukegan and 20.1 miles from River Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.35 one way or $10.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukegan and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near River Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Ridgeland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ridgeland.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukegan and River Forest. Straight-line distance: 32.22 mi (51.86 km).
#1 Waukegan
The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.
| Population | 85,453 |
| Coordinates | 42.3636300, -87.8447900 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
#2 River Forest
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,694 |
| Coordinates | 41.8978100, -87.8139500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Forest (-87.81395, 41.89781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.35 | $10.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.04 | $12.08 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.61 | $13.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.53 | $15.06 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.